Several grants and scholarships are available to students and professionals in Texas interested in obtaining a teaching certificate. To become a teacher in Texas, you must have bachelor's degree from an accredited university and complete an approved teacher training program. Certification tests are required for the subject and grade level you wish to teach. There are also programs that allow students to earn teacher training while they obtain their bachelor's degree. Alternative certification programs allow teachers to obtain certification within a year, while working in the classroom.

Alternative Teacher Certification

The Irving Independent School District works with Quality ACT to provide $1,500 grants to help mid-career professionals and recent college graduates become certified to teach in high-needs schools. Professionals who participate in the program are guaranteed employment in the Irving Independent School District. Certification classes are available on the weekend, evenings and online. Master teachers and curriculum specialists provide instruction and mentoring to program participants. Participants are taught to implement project-based learning and technology into the classroom.

Texas Retired Teachers Foundation

The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation provides scholarships to students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in education. Scholarship recipients receive $500 to use toward their college education. To qualify for a scholarship, the student must be related to a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association. Graduating high school seniors and current college students are eligible to apply for the award. You must submit official transcripts with your application.

Texas Teaching Fellows

Texas Teaching Fellows is a nonprofit alternative certification program that helps college graduates earn a full-time salary while obtaining teaching certification. Fellows obtain a probationary teaching certificate which allows them to teach in the classroom. Fellows must also attend a six week summer training institute and pass the Texas Examination of Educator Standards prior to entering the classroom. The certification program is completed in one year. To qualify for the program, you must possess a bachelor's degree, have a minimum 2.75 GPA and be eligible to work in the United States. Certified teachers are not eligible for the Texas Teaching Fellows Program.

Texas Troops to Teachers

The Texas Troops to Teachers program provides financial aid to retiring military veterans to help them achieve full teacher certification. The Department of Education provides funding for the program. Stipends up to $5,000 are provided to veterans to help pay for certification costs. To qualify for the program, you must have already earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and be interested in elementary or secondary teaching positions. Veterans interested in teaching vocational subjects, such as automotive repair or construction, must have one year of college credits and six years of work experience.